Apparatus for continuously producing a slide fastener chain

ABSTRACT

AN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SLIDE FASTENER CHAINS COMPRISES A BASE UNIT AND AN OVERHEAD UNIT OVERLYING THE BASE UNIT. THE BASE UNIT IS PROVIDED WITH A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING RECESS FOR GUIDING THE FASTENER CHAINS AND A PAIR OF GRIPPERS FOR GRIPING THE CHAINS. THE OVERHEAD UNIT IS PROVIDED WITH A CUTTING DEVICE FOR CUTTING OFF PREDETERMINED FASTENER ELEMENTS AND A SET OF SCRAPERS TO EFFECT REMOVAL OF THE CUT OFF ELEMENTS. THE BASE AND OVERHEAD UNITS COOPERATE TOGETHER TO FORM LONGITUDINALLY SPACED-APART BLANK PORTIONS ON THE FASTENER CHAIN DEVOID OF FASTENER ELEMENTS TO THEREBY FACILITATE THE MOUNTING OF SLIDERS ON THE FASTENER CHAIN.

muo TAKAMATSU 3,611,538 APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCING A SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN Oct. 12, 1971 Original Fil ed July 23, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1. ILLH R {A .1971 IKUO TAKAMATSU APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCING A SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN Original Filed July 25,, 1968 F B Gr 2 oCt. 12, U0 vTAKAMATSU APPARATUS FOR \CONTINUOUSL-Y PRODUCING A SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN Original Filed July 23. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 12, 1971 IKUO TAKAMATS 3,511,538

APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PRO ING A SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN Original Filed July 23, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet L Oct. 12, 1971 IIKUQ TAKAMATSU 3,611,538

APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCING A SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN Original Filed July 25, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 H nQ FWJO United States aten US. Cl. 29-2075 1]) 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF Til-IE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for producing slide fastener chains comprises a base unit and an overhead unit overlying the base unit. The base unit is provided with a longitudinally extending recess for guiding the fastener chains and a pair of grippers for gripping the chains. The overhead unit is provided with a cutting device for cutting off predetermined fastener elements and a set of scrapers to effect removal of the cut off elements. The base and overhead units cooperate together to form longitudinally spaced-apart blank portions on the fastener chain devoid of fastener elements to thereby facilitate the mounting of sliders on the fastener chain.

This is a division of my copending application, Ser. No. 746,952, filed on July 23, 1968, and now Patent No. 3,540,090 Nov. 17, 1970.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a slide fastener chain, and it has for its object to provide a new and useful apparatus for continuously producing a slide fastener chain of the type including a row of intermeshed fastener elements on each of two carrier tapes, the carrier tapes having blank tape sections at predetermined longitudinally spaced-apart intervals for inserting a slider therethrough, and having sewing thread sections devoid of fastener elements and serving to guide the slider into position on the fastener.

There have hitherto been proposed slide fastener chains having their elements alone cut and removed at suitable intervals from the stitchings that hold them to the carrier tapes, or having both elements and stitch sections removed from the tapes at such spaced-apart intervals as are desired for the individual fasteners to be manufactured.

These fastener chains render it difficult to mount the slider on the fastener on account of the humps of residual stitching threads or debris of the severed elements which tend to prohibit the entry of the slider.

This difficulty is eliminated in the fastener chain produced in accordance with the invention.

Briefly stated, the fastener chain of the invention comprises a pair of carrier tapes each carrying a row of interlocking elements, each tape including a blank space section at predetermined longitudinally spaced-apart intervals and contiguous with that stitch portion which is devoid of interlocking elements and which continues linearly from the row of sewing threads that secure the elements to the tape.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fastener chain embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view partially in section of the apparatus employed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation partially in section of the apparatus in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line IVIV of FIG. 3;

31,511,538 Patented Get. 12, 11971 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating on larger scale a pair of tape openers for splitting apart the opposed tape edges;

FIGS. 7 through 13, inclusive, are utilized to explain the operation of the apparatus and the sequence of producing a fastener chain according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a stitch-cutter shown as in cutting position;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, illustrating on larger scale an element-cutter with element chips just severed and removed thereby;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VIIII-VIIII of FIG. 3, illustrating on larger scale a mechanism for holding down the fastener stringers during each cycle of operation;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views similar to FIG. 4, illustrating on larger scale a pair of element scrapers in operation;

FIGS. 12a-12c are plan views of a fastener chain, utilized to explain the sequence in which it is processed according to the invention; and

FIG. 13 is an elevational view corresponding in position to FIG. 11.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical example of a fastener chain processed and finished in accordance with the invention comprising a continuous fastener chain 10 consisting of a pair of carrier tapes 11 and 12 of substantially endless length carrying rows of intermeshed fastener elements 13 and 14. The continuous chain of these intermeshed elements is disrupted and terminated at regularly spacedapart intervals to leave a blank-space section A devoid of fastener elements. This blank-space section of each tape consists of blank central tape portions 15, 16 and elementfree stitch portions 17, 18 contiguous therewith and continuing linearly from the rows of sewing threads S, S which secure the elements to the edges of the tapes 11, 12. The blank-space section A is formed at predetermined longitudinally spacedapart intervals on the fastener chain and bisected at a mid-point by line X-Y along which the fastener chain is to be cut ultimately into individual slide fastener segments of uniform length L.

The blank-space section A featuring the invention is formed by the apparatus which comprises two cooperative units basically illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5. The first or overhead unit essentially comprises a tool bracket 19 connected to and actuated by a suitable driving source (not illustrated) so as to undergo up-and-down movement under properly timed sequential control coordinated with the operations of the associated parts of the apparatus in the second or base unit hereafter described. The tool bracket 19 is provided with a pair of downwardly projecting element-cutters 20 and 21 longitudinally spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the length of the blankspace section A of the fastener chain 10, and the cutters are secured in place by means of bolts 22. Each elementcutter has a blade so sized and configured as to fit in between the opposed stitch rows S and S and to cut and remove the coupling portions of two adjacent intermeshed elements as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 12a.

A pair of stitch-cutters 23 and 24 are secured by bolts 25 to the tool bracket 19 and situated symmetrically between the pair of clement-cutters 20 and 21. The stitchcutters 23 and 24 are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the length of the blank stitchless tape portions 15, 16 across the cutting line X-Y, and have their bladed tips terminated at an elevation slightly above the tips of the element-cutters 20, 21. The stitch-cutters are dimensioned and configured to cut the upper stitches that have sewn the fastener elements to the tape fabric in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7 and accordingly have cutting edges wide enough to cut across the upper stitch portions of the-stitch rows at the locations indicated by d in FIG.

There is provided a vertically movable hold-down rod 26 in between the stitch-cutters and resiliently held by a compression spring 27. The bottom face 28 of this holddown member is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending recesses 29 and 30 for receiving thereinto the stitchrows S, S when the fastener elements are held down by the rod 26 and removed by a pair of element-scrapers 3.1 and 32 hereafter described. These element-scrapers are-located across the hold-down rod 26 and pivotally connected by pins 33 and 34 to the tool bracket 19. They have inwardly bent blades 35 and 36 secured thereto by bolts 37, 38 and opposed to each other with their tip ends nearly in a horizontal plane and the blades are as wide as the hold-down rod 26. The element-scrapers 31, 32 have their upper end portions 39, 40 normally urged by springs 41, 42 against the lower end portions of respective cam devices 43, 44 vertically movably supported by thevtool bracket 19. In this position, the scraper blades 35 and 36 are separated just wide enough to pose astride over and clear of the opposing intermeshed element rows 13, 14. The cams 43, 44 have respective sloped portions 45, 46 which engage the rounded upper end portions 39, 40 of the scrapers and bring the scraper blades inwardly closer together against the force exerted by the springs 41, 42 when the cams move down and wedge into and between the walls of the tool bracket and the respective upper portions of the scrapers 31, 32.

The second or base unit of the apparatus of the invention is situated below and in the corresponding position to the overhead unit above described. The overhead unit comprises a stationary machine base 47 having a centrally projecting longitudinal guide path 48 for guiding the fastener chain and two parallel grooves 49, 50 extending longitudinally along the sides of the guide path 48 the full length of the base 47, a pair of tape grippers 51, 52 mounted on the sides of the base 47 and vertically movable relative to the latter, said grippers having longitudinal hook-like edges 53 and 54 for insertion in the grooves 49 and 50, respectively, and end faces 55, 56 opposed to each other across the guide path 48 and normally defining therewith a channel serving as a guide for the interengaged fastener element rows 13, 14.

The tape grippers 51, 52 are recessed, as at R in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, to permit the element scrapers 31, 32 to pass therethrough to rake off the fastener elements. The longitudinal guide path 48 is provided with shoulders 57, 58 at the corresponding location to the recessed sections R of the tape grippers. These shoulders 57, 58 are so sloped as to fit flat with the bladed tip ends of the scrapers 31, 32 as seen in FIG. 10. The guide path 48 is also recessed at two points each coincidental with the working position of each element-cutter, as seen in FIG. 5, where there are disposed a pair of tape openers 59, 60 (59, 60') resiliently supported by springs 61, 62, so as to move under pressure along inclined slots 63, 64 formed inside the base 47. The tape openers 59, 60 have their tip ends 65, 66 tapered and protruded above the guide path 48 so as to thrust into and between the opposed edges of the tapes 11 and 12 when the latter are brought into a working position on the guide path 48. A pair of stationary block members 67 and 68 are integral with the base 47 and serve as abutments for the tape openers 59, 60. These members have their respective tip ends tapered off to form cutting edges 69, 70 to coact with the corresponding element-cutters 20, 21 to sheer off the fastener elements. An aperture 71 is formed between and defined by the block members 67, 68 for the disposal therethrough of the sheared off segments of the fastener elements.

Since the tapered tips 65, 66 of the tape openers are normally urged by springs 61, 62 to protrude up above theguide path 48, they already come in between the opposed tape edges as the fastener chain is brought into posi tion for initiating the space-forming or gapping operation of the apparatus. The tape openers 59, move gradually apart down the guide slots 63, 64 against the force exerted by the springs 61, 62 as their tip ends 65, 66 are forced downwardly by the descending element-cutters 20, 21. This causes the opposed tape edges to spl t apart wide enough to allow the element cutters to sever the coupling head portions of two adjacent elements in cooperation with the coacting cutting edges 69, 70 of the block members 67, 68 without impairing the tape fabric.

The apparatus thus constructed may be operated in the manner and sequence which follows with reference to the drawings.

At the beginning of each cycle of the blank-space forming or gapping operation, the tape grippers 51, 52 are held in position with their end faces 55, 56 at the level of the guide path 48 in the base 47. In this position, the end faces 55, 56 and the guide path 48 define a guide channel along and over which the interengaged element rows 13, 14 are introduced and aligned in position.

In the first phase of the cycle, the fastener chain 10 is moved over the base 47 until it is brought to a stop at a predetermined point. This chain movement is intermittent and controlled by a suitable control mechanism to be in timed relationship with each cycle of operation of the apparatus. Such a control mechanism is well known in the art and hence, will require no further explanation.

A second phase begins with the descending of the tool bracket 19 along with the element-cutters 20, 21 to force the fastener elements down against the tapered tips 65, 66 of the tape openers 59, 60 whereupon the latter are retracted against the biasing force of the springs 61, 62, causing the opposed tape edges to split apart.

A third phase follows in which the tool bracket moves further down and the longitudinally spaced-apart element cutters 20, 21 each punch through the coupling head portions of two adjacent intermeshed elements in cooperation with the cutting edges 69, 70 and the punched out segments are thrown down the aperture 71, as seen in FIGS. 8 and 12. Simultaneous with this, the stitchcutters 23, 24 cut across the upper portions of the sewing threads securing the fastener elements to the tapes in the manner shown in FIG. 7.

A fourth phase then takes place with the descending of the tape grippers 51, 52. As the tape grippers descend, the tapes are held down until they are caught between the hook-like edges 53, 54 of the gripers and the parallel grooves 49, 50, as schematically shown in FIG. 12b. This is followed by the fifth phase of the cycle in which the earns 43, 44, move down and wedge into and between the walls of the tool bracket and the element-scrapers 31, 32, causing the scraper blades to move closer toward each other until they intrude into and 'between the element rows 13, 14 and that tape portion which has been gripped in place, at which time the scraper blades 35, 36 cut the lower sttich portions of the stitchings S, 8'. By this time, the hold-down rod 26 has descended sufficiently far down that it lands on the stitch rows S, S demarcated between two points at which their upper stitches have already been cut in the third phase of the cycle. The rows of stitchings of this section are received into the bottom recesses 29, 30 of the hold-down rod 26, and the fastener elements in this area of the tape are scooped and pinched firmly between the hold-down face of the rod and the upper faces of'the scraper blades that have been closed.

In the sixth phase of the cycle, the tool bracket 19 is lifted with the element-scrapers and hold-down rod ascending therewith and carrying with them the elements and stitches that have been sheared off in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13. Thus, by the cooperation portions 15, 16 and element-free stitch portions 17, 18 on each carrier tape. Subsequently, the scraper blades open apart and take the position shown in FIG. 4 thereby releasing the element and stitch segments for removal by a suitable suction device of well-known construction.

The cycle ends with a seventh phase in which the tape grippers 51, 52 rise to release the fastener chain and the grippers halt at the original elevation where their end faces 55, 56 again form with the guide path 48 a guide channel for the interengaged element rows of the fastener chain. This completes one cycle of the gapping operation, and such is then followed by the first phase in which the fastener chain is transported a predetermined distance L to come into the next working position.

Having thus described the invention, it will be understood that the bank-space section A of the carrier tape may be formed substantially without leaving any residual debris on the surface of the fastener chain which would otherwise considerably retard the speed of production.

What is claimed is:

l. In the manufacture of a slide fastener chain comprising a pair of opposed carrier tapes each carrying a row of fastener elements, and a row of sewing threads securing the fastener elements to the tape, each of said tapes including a blank-space section at predetermined longitudinally spaced-apart intervals, said section consisting of a blank central tape portion and symmetrically disposed element-free stitch portions contiguous therewith and continuing linearly from the row of sewing threads, an apparatus for producing said slide fastener chain comprising: a first unit comprising a vertically movable tool bracket including a pair of downwardly projecting and longitudinally spaced apart element-cutters, a pair of stitch-cutters symmetrically positioned between said element-cutters, a vertically movable hold-down rod disposed between said stitch-cutters, spring means biasing said holddown rod in one direction, a pair of scrapers pivotally supported on said tool bracket, cam members operative to bring said scrapers towards and away from each other; and a second unit comprising a stationary machine base including a centrally projecting longitudinal guide path for guiding therealong the fastener chain, said guide path having means defining longitudinally extending recesses, a pair of vertically movabe tape grippers having tip ends engageable in said recesses, a pair of tape openers having tapered tip ends effective to split apart opposed edges of the fastener chain, and a pair of coacting cutters cooperating with said element-cutters to shear off predetermined ones of the fastener elements.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,368,269 2/1968 Perlman 29-2075 D THOMAS H. EAGER, Primary Examiner 

